Luck with waiting list?

[Etcktgirl]

Hi,

My husband and I are planning a trip to WDW in early March. We don't usually plan this last-minute, but the idea was planted by a friend and now we are all headed down. It must be spring break, because everything DVC on property was booked except a one-bedroom at Saratoga Springs. We were hoping for Concierge at AKL, and got put on a waiting list for that.

Can anyone tell me if they've had luck with waiting lists for DVC rooms in the past? Also, not sure I understand the 30 day v. 7 day waiting list?

Thanks, all!

Chris

[GusMan]

Ive done some research on this before and to be honest, its really going to vary depending on who you talk to, what time of year it was, and what kind of accommodations were desired. Some have had it come back to them in just a few days. Some, within 2 weeks. And of course... some never made it.

Now, to be honest, I am not clear on the waitlist process, but let me ask this... Did you at least book the 1BR at SSR so you can at least have something?

[Etcktgirl]

Now, to be honest, I am not clear on the waitlist process, but let me ask this... Did you at least book the 1BR at SSR so you can at least have something?[/QUOTE]

No, we didn't ... that room was more points and would require borrowing from next year. Not a bad thing, but we were hoping to not have to borrow. If we had accepted that reservation, we'd be locked in to spending those points before the year was up, and we aren't sure we can do that. At this point, we are thinking about staying OP altogether. :crying:

[GusMan]

Well, the problem is that there are only a few Concierge rooms at AKL. Demand for them is very high to say the least. If you want to go and use points, borrowing points for a 1BR at SSR may be your best bet.

There is your OP option but I would see what member services can do with a cash reservation before I would consider off-property. Heck, I would even see if I could get a cash ressie at POR or other non-DVC resort before going off-site.

[Etcktgirl]

Point well taken on the very few concierge rooms at AKL. I called DVC today and we are now on 4 waitlists (concierge studio, concierge 1 BR, regular studio room, value studio room). I'm hoping that by increasing our possibilities, we increase our odds as well.

Thanks for your help! I'll keep you posted!

[Etcktgirl]

Here's my update, as promised. I called DVC yesterday to check on any availability of anything, since as of yet, we had no guaranteed room. I was told we got a studio concierge at AKL, per our waiting list! I'm so excited -- first time concierge, third time AKL (second as DVC).

:D

[Etcktgirl]

I thought I'd follow up again and give my review of AKL concierge, for anyone interested. To be honest, we were unimpressed. Our room had a view of the pool (one of the risks you take in requesting concierge is that you can't choose your view). I deeply missed being able to go out on the balcony and see the animals in the savanna.

Another disappointment was the food ... it just wasn't that fantastic. It basically consisted of bagels and cereal for breakfast, some cookies mid-day, and a few finger foods in the evening. I'm glad we used points and not money -- I would NOT have wanted to pay what Disney asks for this pretty paltry selection.

Also, we took advantage of the sunset safari. I would, sadly, also NOT recommend this. It is $160, and while it is interesting to see the animals more up close, it became almost silly when there were other guests at viewing areas who were nearly as close to the animals as we were (and who hadn't forked out an extra $160!). The guides were very interesting. The dinner left a lot to be desired ...our waiter was practically dismissive of us, several times forgetting to bring serving spoons (the food is shared, "family-style" with the other safari participants), and, on the second course, he left with our bottle of wine without emptying it! I didn't realize this until my husband pointed it out later or I would have said something. And while you get TOO many entrees (since there were five of us, we got five steaks, chicken for five, and fish for five), we did NOT get enough dessert. Care to split a small creme brulee five ways? Um, no, thanks.

Anyway ... Disney rarely disappoints an ardent fan like me, but this time, it just missed the mark. :(